Photo: Latin Press.
GEORGETOWN, 19th January (RHC) The Secretary General of the Caribbean Community – Caricom – Carla Barnett on Thursday highlighted the fundamental role of the Community Council of Ministers in moving forward in strengthening the leadership of this integrationist bloc.
Barnet addressed attendees in that capital at the body’s first annual meeting, chaired by Frederick A. Mitchell, director of foreign affairs and civil service for the Bahamas.
After recalling that this Council’s responsibility places it at the center, at the organizational and operational core of much of the Community’s endeavour, he expressed the opportunity that working together represents to improve the lives of its citizens .
“As we prepare to celebrate Caricom’s 50th anniversary this year and to commemorate the vision and courage of those before us, we must renew our commitment to the group and enrich its legacy,” he said.
He points out that the Council is responsible for examining and approving the Community budget; Mobilize and allocate resources for the implementation of plans and programs and establish a system of regional and national consultations for decision-making.
Therefore, he called on the entity to work faster in implementing decisions and addressing important issues such as climate change and security.
Insisting on the council’s role in improving local government, he believed his work should “help citizens recover from real challenges, promote the integration of our economies and societies, and build a resilient region”.
During the day, the Chair welcomed new members Kerrie Symmonds, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, and her counterpart from Grenada, Joseph Andall.
CARICOM was born on July 4, 1973 with the signing of the Chaguaramas Treaty by 15 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Monserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. (font: Latin Press).